Hull City look to cause a giant killing as Grant McCann’s Tigers host Everton at the KCOM Stadium in Third Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Hull are chasing a second visit to the Fourth Round stage in four seasons, whereas Rafael Benitez’s Toffees are looking to advance to the next round for the third time in six seasons.
Team News
Josh Magennis is ruled out for Hull with a hamstring injury suffered during their New Year’s Day defeat at Blackpool in the Sky Bet Championship.
Tom Huddlestone, Matt Ingram and Will Jarvis (all Coronavirus) are available but Ryan Longman (knock) is a doubt.
Callum Elder (groin) and Mallik Wilks (unspecified) join Josh Emmanuel (illness), Lewis Coyle (ankle), Alfie Jones (hamstring) and Brandon Fleming (leg) on sidelines.
Benitez could hand Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson their debuts for Everton after the pair signed in the first week of this month’s transfer window.
Fabian Delph (illness), Tom Davies (knee) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (quad) are doubts but Yerry Mina, Richarlison (both calf), Jarrad Branthwaite (unspecified) and Andros Townsend (foot) remain absent.
Alex Iwobi is away on international duty for Nigeria at 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Stat Attack
- Hull are unbeaten in five of six FA Cup matches against Everton in three ties (W2, D3, L1).
- Everton are winless in four FA Cup trips to Hull (D2, L2), with both draws finishing in 1-1 results.
- In their last two meetings at KCOM Stadium in all competitions, Everton conceded twice against Hull.
- Hull have won just one of their last five FA Cup clashes against Premier League opposition (W1, D1, L3).
- Everton have lost just one of their last five FA Cup ties against Championship opposition (W4, L1).
Prediction
Although Hull are currently locked in a Championship relegation battle, they simply cannot afford to rest players here and can take heart from last weekend’s dominant effort at Blackpool, despite a one goal defeat but they realistically will need to be clinical with their chances.
Everton meanwhile were a defensive mess in their Premier League loss to Brighton last weekend throughout both halves, although their attack did initially lack intensity but grew throughout the game following their enforced Xmas break so should be fully prepared here.
Defending though is going to be key given the defensive issues within both teams but if Hull can quickly rediscover their finishing touch from the last two months, I fancy a cupset on Humberside with the Tigers roaring their way past Benitez’s Toffees.
Prediction: Hull 2-1 Everton
Result: Hull 2-3 (AET) Everton
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